From the Principal – Issue #2, 2023

I hope that your first fortnight of 2023 at St Aloysius College has been an exciting time of growth in friendships, confidence and connection. As I spoke to parents in the courtyard before and after school, it certainly sounded like the year has begun well, and as Catherine McAuley would say, “a good beginning is of great importance”!

At our Opening Mass, we reflected on the theme of Blessings, taking time to recognise all the people and moments we feel grateful for in our everyday lives. Father James McEvoy offered a blessing over the whole community, and in a special way blessed the senior student leaders for 2023. We wished them well as they take on their important role as models of Mercy, who live out our values in all that they do.

In my role as Principal, I often hear about the amazing achievements of our old scholars. I wanted to share two recent examples:

• Tegan Brink (dux of 1996) was appointed Australia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, following a distinguished career in Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra, Geneva and New York. At the 2014 Dux Assembly, Tegan spoke to the students and graduates about three features of her education at SAC she valued most highly: the active manifestation of the Mercy ethos, the quality and commitment of teachers and the international dimension of her education, which encompassed a diverse student population, language learning and exchange programs. We are so proud that Tegan has gone on to make her mark in the world of foreign affairs.
• Tammy Nguyen (Class 0f 1992) travelled to Vietnam during the holidays, spending time at an Orphanage run by the Sisters of Mercy. In addition to caring for children, the Sisters also educate disadvantaged children from Reception to Year 5. Tammy and her family help to support this work and provided some second-hand Surface Pros to be used by the older students.

What struck me in both of these stories is the strong sense of purpose and commitment to justice that Tegan, Tammy and many other graduates bring to their lives beyond school. Whatever pathway their lives take when they graduate, their experience of living by Mercy values continues to drive them forward. We are so proud of their ongoing commitment to make our world a little “less cold and more just”, as Pope Francis once said.

Thanks to the many Reception to Year 7 parents who attended our Meet the Teacher evening on Wednesday. The strong partnership between home and school is central to student success, and we appreciate you making time to connect with us at the College. We look forward to working together to enable every student to flourish.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
PRINCIPAL

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